Peter Obi Reveals the School Project Behind His Viral ‘I Cut the Grass’ Comment

Peter Obi has responded to the long-running demand that he identify a school built during his tenure as Anambra State governor, citing the development of the Igbariam campus of the state university.

Obi said his administration began work on the campus by cutting the grass and clearing the bush covering the site.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate spoke during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

“People say I didn’t build a school. Seun, I built more than a school,” Obi said.

“There is a place called Igbariam campus. Seun, I cut the grass.”

Obi clarified that he was referring to clearing and levelling the undeveloped land before facilities were constructed at the campus.

“When I say I cut the grass, it was a bush. I levelled the bush,” he said.

The question has followed Obi since April 2024, when Reno Omokri challenged his supporters to identify one school constructed during his eight years as Anambra governor.

Omokri offered $10,000 to anyone who could provide evidence of a school built by Obi’s administration.

Responding at the time, Obi acknowledged that he did not construct a new school but argued that his priority was rebuilding the state’s existing education system.

He said Anambra’s schools were in poor condition when he assumed office and claimed the state moved from 26th position to the top of national education rankings under his administration.

“Building new schools when the old ones are moribund is just like building coastal lines when internal roads are impassable,” Obi said in 2024.

During Sunday’s interview, however, Obi pointed to the Igbariam university campus as evidence that his administration undertook educational construction beyond renovating existing schools.

In November 2013, Obi’s administration announced a N5 billion infrastructure intervention for Anambra State University at its permanent site in Igbariam.